World mourns as Best loses his fight for life

FOOTBALL genius George Best finally lost his battle for life yesterday at the age of 59.

The man hailed by many as the most magical player of all time will be buried in his native Belfast beside his mother Ann.

Best’s prodigious talent drew the affection and awe of millions of fans and tributes to him poured in from across the football world last night.

Friends said he should be remembered for inspiring an entire generation of players in the 1960s and 1970s and for being a kind and generous man.

The former Manchester United, Fulham and Northern Ireland star slipped away at 12.55pm after suffering multiple organ failure.

After keeping a long bedside vigil, his family looked emotionally shattered as they emerged from the Cromwell Hospital in west London.

His tearful son Calum, 24, said: “Not only have I lost my dad but we’ve all lost a wonderful man.”

Speaking on behalf of the family, Best’s sister Barbara McNarry had to pause and collect herself as she thanked the “thousands and thousands” of well-wishers who sent cards and emails.

She said: “We have taken great comfort from them, especially during the long hours.”

Agent Phil Hughes, who was with Best in good times and bad for more than 25 years, broke down in floods of tears.

“He has gone somewhere now where no one can hurt him any more. He is safe now,” Mr Hughes said.

Denis Law, Best’s former United team-mate, was also at the hospital as his life came to a close.

Law said his old friend’s condition became so bad that death had ultimately been a “blessing”.

Best’s second wife, Alex, who divorced him for adultery in April last year, issued a heartfelt statement in which she said he was the “love of my life”.

She said: “He was a unique and talented person who made a lot of people very happy. I will always miss him.”

Best, who underwent a controversial liver transplant in 2002 after subjecting his own to years of alcohol abuse, amazed doctors by fighting as long as he did.

His consultant Professor Roger Williams, who had become a good friend, said he had a strong heart but there had been no way back.

Best was admitted to hospital on October 1 suffering from a flu-like infection but deteriorated rapidly when he developed a kidney infection.

He rallied and was thought to be improving until the early hours of Friday last week when he suffered a severe setback, developing a lung infection and being put on a ventilator in intensive care.

He was still conscious at that point but deteriorated on Wednesday night.

Shortly after his death, a hospital spokesman confirmed: “After a long and very valiant fight, Mr George Best has just died this afternoon.”

Floral tributes piled up outside the hospital along with supporters’ scarves.

A message on one bunch of flowers read: “Dear George, Thanks for giving me so much joy, you were my hero as a child and as an adult. You will never be forgotten.” To an entire generation of footballers, Belfast-born Best was an idol.

Former Irish international and Liverpool player Ray Houghton said: “I used to go out and play with the locals and think I was George Best, trying to take on everyone, beat everyone, because that was the type of player he was.”